Newsroom

Vermont CBP Reminds Boaters of Vessel Reporting Procedures

Release Date:

April 28, 2014

Small Vessel Reporting System Also Available in Derby Line

DERBY LINE, Vt.- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reminding individuals how to process small vessel arrivals, including in-person immigration processing, during this year’s boating season via Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS).

The SVRS online reporting tool is a voluntary program that will expedite the entry process for participating boaters coming back into the U.S.

The system is open to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents; Canadian citizens; Canadian landed commonwealth residents; and Canadian landed immigrants who are nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country, and who possess a valid passport and an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), or who hold a U.S. visa for admittance, a valid passport, and a CBP Form I-94.

Boat owners and passengers can fill out an online application and schedule a visit to an enrollment center to apply to the program. Interviews will be conducted at the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Enrollment Center located at the Port of Derby Line, Interstate 91 (I-91) between 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. There is no fee to apply to the program and boat owners or passengers who are currently members of a CBP Trusted Traveler Program such as NEXUS or Global Entry, or who hold a current Form I-68, can enroll without visiting an enrollment center.

Once enrolled, boat owners file a small vessel reporting float plan prior to their departure if the trip begins in the U.S., or prior to their entry into the U.S. if the trip begins foreign. Upon arrival in the U.S., boat masters can then call CBP at the closest port of entry with the float plan identification number (received when the plan was filed), answer a few questions pertinent to their arrival and receive clearance to enter the U.S.

CBP officers will also be available at the Newport City Dock on Lake Memphremagog, to process small vessel arrivals.

Boaters are reminded that the master or person in charge of the boat must report their arrival to CBP. This applies to any vessel not engaged in trade, or documented trade such as pleasure boats and yachts, regardless of size and country of registration.

When Reporting Is Required

* After having visited any foreign port or place;

* After having had contact with any hovering vessel.

Reporting Procedure

Masters, crew and passengers must report their arrival immediately upon entering the United States. Boat owners/operators entering the United States via Lake Memphremagog are reminded that they are responsible for reporting themselves, their crew, and their passengers. They can report by going to the Newport City Boat Dock to speak to a CBP officer, utilizing the Outlying Area Reporting Station (OARS) videophone or by calling 1-802-873-3316 if enrolled in SVRS.

The master or designee may go ashore only to report their arrival to CBP. No other person may leave or board the boat and no baggage or merchandise may be removed or loaded until the report of arrival is made and release granted by a CBP officer. This includes purchasing fuel from the Newport City Dock prior to reporting.

If all persons on board are in possession of a valid CBP Form I-68 or NEXUS card, the master may report their arrival telephonically by calling 1-802-873-3316. The master will be advised as to whether to report for further inspection to the Newport City Dock. CBP encourages members of the boating community to obtain a CBP Form I-68 or enroll in NEXUS or SVRS, as it allows for significantly faster processing times. A CBP Form I-68 can be locally obtained at the Port of Derby Line, I-91.

For more information on the I-68, please visit the pleasure boats section of the CBP website.

For more information on the NEXUS program, please visit the Trusted Traveler section of the CBP website.

Failure to report can result in civil penalties as defined in Title 19, United States Code, Section 1436 to include a penalty of $5,000 for the first violation and $10,000 for each subsequent violation with the conveyance subject to seizure and forfeiture. In addition to being liable for a civil penalty, any master who intentionally commits a violation under subsection (a) of this section upon conviction is liable for a fine of not more than $2,000 or imprisonment for 1 year or both.

Please note that all documented or registered vessels 30 feet in length or greater are required to pay an annual processing (user fee) of $27.50 in U.S. dollars if crossing the international border.

Decals for vessels may also be purchased via the Internet. For more information, please visit the CBP DTOPS website.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.